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useful gizmo for anyone with Oil fired heating

  • Thread starter karlos2000
  • Start date
K

karlos2000

Guest
anyone on here who has an oil fired CH system will be aware of the "Watchman" radio linked oil tank monitor.
I just thought you might want to know that they have just launched a "sonic" version, which appears to be significantly better than the old "probe" type and it appears not too badly priced either at around ?65 all in. Looks like a doddle to fit too ........... as my probe type has issues "mid tank" (between notch 7 and 5) I think an upgrade to this is in order.
http://www.boilerjuice.com/shop/item.php?id=30

cheers

Karlos
 
K

karlos2000

Guest
yeah, looks that way doesn't it, though that one is ?10 more that the Watchman badged version .......... I haven't got a sight gauge, and my tank is tucked away so the 'lazy bastard Oil Watchman' option suits me just fine .........

:rolleyes:
 
Pugwash

Pugwash

Registered User
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I keep an eye on where the condensation comes to up the side, as the "clear" plastic fuel gauge is solid yellow/gunk.

Out of interest, it stated on BJ that a 32mm hole is needed. The identical one on ebay doesn't say this, and wouldn't ultrasound pass through the wall of the tank anyway?

I Just don't fancy drilling a hole though a metal tank of oil.

(ok, ignore that - I see there's install instructions in the pdf)
 
Last edited:
K

karlos2000

Guest
Pugwash said:
I keep an eye on where the condensation comes to up the side, as the "clear" plastic fuel gauge is solid yellow/gunk.

Out of interest, it stated on BJ that a 32mm hole is needed. The identical one on ebay doesn't say this, and wouldn't ultrasound pass through the wall of the tank anyway?

I Just don't fancy drilling a hole though a metal tank of oil.

(ok, ignore that - I see there's install instructions in the pdf)
Click to expand...

here's the way I see it bud. Up until Dec 2006 I hadn't even seen an oil tank as I had always lived in a gas supplied area. I moved here and I inherited the standard 'oil Watchman' with a tank sensor. I can't imagine not having the little LCD gauge indicator thing in my kitchen, it receives a signal every 2 hours from the sensor in the tank and updates the LCD (plugs into a socket). This goes from 10 (full) down to 1 (needs filling), the only "problem" is the sensor (the bit that physically dips in the oil) can fail, mine has started to misread aroud the 6 to 7 notch point, no big deal, but the "sonic" version is foolproof (no dipstick sensor) aside from a 9v battery in the sender unit. If I had to "pop out" to the oil tank every few days to check............. well, it doesn't bear thinking about to be honest ....... plus if you do run out and get an air lock it's a ?100+ job to get it sorted, I'm led to believe. Basically, I'm updating the radio version for the sonic version a.s.a.p.
:yo:
 
ianrobbo1

ianrobbo1

good looking AND modest
wouldnt a long stick with a rag to wipe it, poked in a hole at the top be a lot cheaper and more reliable than all that electrickery stuff?? :-0)
 
K

karlos2000

Guest
ianrobbo1 said:
wouldnt a long stick with a rag to wipe it, poked in a hole at the top be a lot cheaper and more reliable than all that electrickery stuff?? :-0)
Click to expand...

in a word, no ..............
 
Pugwash

Pugwash

Registered User
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The airlock is a DIY job - had to do it last year. You undo the thumb screw on the boiler for the fuel pipe feed that you later discover should not be fully removed! This lets the air get pushed by the fuel pressure. When it's clear you get nice stinky kerosene on your floor that you rapidly stick the screw back on and can light the boiler again.

Luckily my boiler is only about 8ft from the tank and in my office out the back, so I could leave the windows open for a few days.

I'll have a look and see if the hole is already on the tank like they suggest. I know EMO oil I buy from offer such devices so maybe they have one for a discount.
 
K

karlos2000

Guest
Pugwash said:
I know EMO oil I buy from offer such devices so maybe they have one for a discount.
Click to expand...

likewise with Watsons here, must check that .......... :yo:
 
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